Gilbert Talbot, 7th Earl of Shrewsbury, 7th Earl of Waterford, Knight of the Order of the Garter was a peer in the peerage of England.
Background
He was the eldest surviving son of George Talbot, 6th Earl of Shrewsbury, by the latter"s first marriage to Gertrude Manners, daughter of the first Earl of Rutland. In 1568, Gilbert was married to Mary Cavendish, daughter of his new stepmother, Bess of Hardwick, and who has inherited much of her formidable mother"s strength of character. When Bess and her husband fell out, Gilbert took the side of his wife and his mother-in-law against his own father.
Career
However, when the old earl died in 1590, Gilbert refused Bess the widow"s portion she felt was her due, and consequently they fell out. Lady Mary Talbot (1580–1649)
Lady Elizabeth Talbot (1582–1651)
Lady Alethea Talbot (1585–1654)
Two sons, George and John, died in infancy. He was elected knight of the shire (Member of Parliament) for Derbyshire in 1572.
He was summoned to the House of Lords as Baron Talbot in 1589 and became 7th Earl of Shrewsbury on his father"s death in 1590.
Gilbert"s stepbrother Charles Cavendish challenged Stanhope to a duel for his sake, which was not fought. Elizabeth I was displeased and took Stanhope"s side.
Talbot"s second daughter, Elizabeth, married Henry Grey, 8th Earl of Kent. The eldest, Mary, married William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke.
The downfall of Arbella, who as the closest relative of King James I of England had greatly offended him by marrying without his consent, had serious consequences for Gilbert and Mary: Mary, who had aided the marriage, went to the Tower of London as a result, and Gilbert lost his seat on the Privy Council.